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About The Book: Dissertations on Early Law and Custom by Henry Sumner Maine explores the interplay of religion, law, and society in Hindu traditions, emphasizing their influence on property, family dynamics, and governance. Maine highlights the localized and diverse nature of Hindu law, contrasting it with codified Brahmanical texts adopted during British colonial rule. He discusses ancestor worship's centrality in shaping inheritance laws and moral duties, alongside the financial strain imposed by ritual obligations. Brahmanical law, despite its spiritual authority, is critiqued for perpetuating caste-based superstitions and economic burdens.The book delves into the economic and social roles of Brahmans, joint property systems, and the transition from household duties to asceticism in Hindu life. By comparing Hindu practices with Roman and Zoroastrian traditions, Maine underscores the complexities and cultural uniqueness of Hindu law, its enduring influence, and the challenges it poses for modernization and social reform. About The Author: Sir Henry James Sumner Maine (1822–1888) was a pioneering British jurist, historian, and legal anthropologist. His influential work, Ancient Law (1861), introduced the thesis that societies transitioned "from status to contract," highlighting a shift from rigid social structures to individual autonomy in forming relationships and agreements. Maine served as the Regius Professor of Civil Law at Cambridge and contributed significantly to legal reforms in British India as a legal member of the Viceroy’s council. His notable works include Village Communities in the East and West (1871) and Dissertations on Early Law and Custom (1883). The Title 'Dissertations on Early Law and Custom written/authored/edited by Henry Sumner Maine', published in the year 2025. The ISBN 9789369209644 is assigned to the Hardcover version of this title. This book has total of pp. 414 (Pages). The publisher of this title is Gyan Publishing House. This Book